West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners unanimously approved the 2018-19 budget to a silent room.
No one from the public attended the Sept. 11 hearing on the new budget plans.
There also was no public comment at the first public hearing Aug. 21.
Revenue will grow by less than 1 percent as the district reaches full build out, according to Administrative Battalion Chief Ben Rigney.
The non-ad valorem assessment rate will increase by 2 percent, accruing $118,949.03 more than the current year in tax revenue for 2018-19.
Tax receipts account for 89.5 percent, or $7,121,512, of the total revenue budgeted for the new fiscal year.
Total revenue will increase from $7,582,964 in 2017-18 to $7,954,579 in 2018-19. The budgeted use of $480,000 from assigned reserve funds account for a portion of the increase.
WMFR will have $5,946,179 in reserves for 2018-19, with $4,425,000 assigned and $787,923 unassigned.
Assigned reserves will increase by $250,000 in 2018-19, which will be used for vehicle replacement. The district wants to purchase a new fire engine with the money rather than rely on debt service for the acquisition.
Contingency funds make up $2,500,000 of the assigned reserves.
Expenses will increase from $7,360,507.12 to $7,924,079, with wages and benefits accounting for $6,102,451.74 of expenses, an increase of $500,603.74 from 2017-18.
Expenses for capital outlay will increase from $161,811.37 to $480,000 for the replacement of two vehicles.
However, capitol outlay will be adjusted once the district’s administrative building sale is finalized.
The administrative building, 6417 Third Ave. W., Bradenton, is under contract to Oasis Middle School, which is set to close on the sale in December. The school plans to finalize the purchase before Dec. 4.
WMFR has yet to decide on a location for its administrative offices, but reserve funds to rent or purchase office space are provided in the budget.
Commissioners plan to decide on the move by December.
The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
| Revenues | 2017-18 YE Projections | 2018-19 Budget |
| Tax receipts | $7,002,562.97 | $7,121,512 |
| Interest | $77,750 | $60,000 |
| Reimbursement | $491,964 | $253,067 |
| Revenue Total | $7,582,964 | $7,954,579 |
| Expenses | 2017-18 YE Projections | 2018-19 Budget |
| Wages and benefits | $5,601,848 | $6,102,451.74 |
| Maintenance | $135,890 | $147,000 |
| Insurance | $69,420.33 | $72,000 |
| Training | $47,500 | $76,500 |
| Office expenses | $9,587.52 | $12,250 |
| Supplies | $59,000 | $64,500 |
| Utilities | $120,000 | $121,000 |
| Fire prevention | $14,019.97 | $12,500 |
| Special services | $446,534.83 | $463,145.36 |
| Miscellaneous | $15,095.89 | $16,975.90 |
| Capital outlay | $161,811.37 | $480,000 |
| Debt service | $679,799.51 | $355,756 |
| Expenses Total | $7,360,507.12 | $7,924,079 |
